Small Animal Splenic Disorders Flashcards
Where is the spleen located?
In the cranial abdomen towards the left hand side
What is the anatomy of the spleen?
Dorsal extremity (head) which is fixed by gastrosplenic ligament and a ventral extremity (tail) which is relatively more mobile
How are structure and function of the spleen linked?
Smooth muscle capsule so it can significantly contract or swell in size
What is the blood supply to the spleen?
Splenic artery arises from celiac artery and divides into approximately 25 small hilar arteries which enter the spleen on its concave surface
Splenic vein drains into the portal vein
What are some important branches of the splenic artery/vein?
Left limb of the pancreas
Greater curvature of the stomach (left gastroepiploic)
Fundus of the stomach (short gastic)
What is the function of the spleen?
Red blood cell maintenance, iron metabolism, blood reservoir, haematopoiesis, immune functions
How does the spleen perform red blood cell maintenance?
Filtration of blood and phagocytosis, remodelling of red blood cells, removal of intra-erythrocytic inclusions
How does the spleen contribute to iron metabolism?
Significant iron stores result from continuous removal of old or damages red blood cells
How does the spleen act as a blood reservoir?
10-20% blood volume stored in dogs and cats which are readily available in case of acute blood loss/haemolysis
How does the spleen act as a haematopoietic organ?
Can resume haematopoietic functions in adult animals to help out when bone marrow cannot carry out its normal haematopoietic role
What are the immune functions of the spleen?
Major site for clearance of micro-organisms and providing an immune response protecting against septicaemia
Where are the functions of the spleen carried out?
First four functions carried out in red pulp and immunological functions carried out in white pulp
Why is a splenectomy performed?
Due to suspected neoplasia or due to rupture
How is a splenectomy performed?
Large ventral midline abdominal incision, begin removal at tail end double ligating vessels, when reach the head try and preserve short gastric vessels and transect gastrosplenic ligament
What is the quick way of performing a splenectomy?
Ligate the short gastric vessels and left gastrosplenic a + v and the splenic a + v distal to the branch supplying the pancreas